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Internet cut in Xinjiang to 'prevent spread of riot'

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-07-07 13:28

URUMQI: Internet was cut in parts of Xinjiang's capital Urumqi following Sunday's deadly riot to prevent violence from spreading, an official said Tuesday.

"We cut Internet connection in some areas of Urumqi in order to quench the riot quickly and prevent violence from spreading to other places," said Li Zhi, the Communist Party of China (CPC) chief of Urumqi.

Li said Chinese authorities had evidence that separatist World Uyghur Congress leader Rebiya Kadeer used the Internet and other means of communication to mastermind the riot.

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He didn't say when exactly Internet connection would resume.

Xinjiang police said Monday they had evidence that Rebiya Kadeer masterminded the Sunday riot, and had obtained recordings of calls between overseas Eastern Turkestan groups and their accomplices in the country.

In the recorded calls, Rebiya Kadeer said, "Something will happen in Urumqi." She also called her younger brother in Urumqi, saying, "We know a lot of things have happened," referring to the June 26 brawl involving workers from Xinjiang in a toy factory in Guangdong Province.